Where were the big defensive plays?

IRVING – If you look at the final stats from Sunday’s loss to the Chargers, you’d think the Cowboys had a solid day defensively.

San Diego came into the game ranked third in the league in scoring, averaging 28.5 points per game. The Cowboys held them to 20 points.

San Diego came into the game averaging 88.7 yards rushing. The Cowboys held them to 73 yards.

But when Dallas needed a big stop, it couldn’t deliver. The Chargers iced the game with a 15-play drive that consummed 7 minutes, 17 seconds and ended with Nate Kaeding kicking a 34-yard field goal to make it 20-10.

Bottom line: The Cowboys were powerless to stop them.

“Guys were scratching and clawing trying to make a big play,” linebacker Bradie James said. “It was exasperation. Everyone is out there trying to make that play, and they ate it up.”

But that’s been a trademark of Wade Phillips’ defenses in Dallas. Statistically, they’ve done a good job. But when it comes time to make a game-turning play, they nearly always come up short.